Obituary of Harry Baxter

Harry Baxter, age 75, of St. Louis Park, died suddenly and unexpectedly March 16, 2016. He was preceded in death by parents Dick and Olga Baxter of Annfield Plain, County Durham, England and baby grandson Benjamin Baxter. He is survived by wife Jeanne, son Ivan (Joanna Dinsmore), granddaughters Eva and Catie; stepdaughter Alexis Stafford (Curtis Ryce), grandson Simon, and many, many friends. He was married previously to Judy (Shapiro) Baxter and Marilyn Ulseth. Harry Baxter was a true renaissance man: he re-invented himself many times and was a constant and continuous scholar. His formal education included undergraduate work at University of Sheffield, doctoral studies and completion of Ph.D. at the University of Michigan, all related to French and French Literature. He also completed a Masters in Hospital Administration at the University of Minnesota. Before coming to the States he spent a year in France teaching and perfecting his conversational skills. Dr Baxter taught at Carleton College and the University of Minnesota, worked at MAP for Nonprofits, Regions Hospital, House of Charity, and Target Corporation; tutored French students; and officiated at a number of weddings as a licensed minister, including those of his son and many dear friends. Although he was never shy about engaging in political discussions, after ~10 years of haranguing from his son, in 2014 he became an American citizen. Harry had a great interest in theatre, as both audience and actor, with a passionate interest in the works of Shakespeare. He performed many roles, Shakespearean and others, at Theatre in the Round and other theater companies in the Twin Cities. For many years he participated in a play-reading group and was active in and taught International Folk Dancing. He was a 30+ year member of a monthly poker-playing group, participated in neighborhood associations, and was past president and current vice-president of the Village in the Park Condominium Association, where he lived with wife Jeanne. He was an inveterate fisherman, starting with sun fish in Cass Lake, MN and culminating with a 50 lb. tuna in Mexico. Harry loved traveling and personally guided his son and many friends through the highways, byways, cathedrals and ruins of northern England; together, he and Jeanne traveled often—besides England and Scotland, they journeyed to Spain, Portugal, and many locations in the States, including many visits to Ivan and his family, wherever they happened to be living (most recently in St. Louis). Harry and Jeanne lived two years in Mexico, and just last autumn joined their friends Pat and Bill on a river cruise up the Rhone. Harry was also a fearless gourmet cook; he and Jeanne prepared and served magnificent meals to family and friends; in the past year he also started making delicious craft breads. Six years ago he began a brief apprenticeship in woodworking with a friend; his first project, an oak cabinet for storage of his recorded music collection, was the beginning of a number of beautiful and practical projects, including a display case for his granddaughter’s spoon collection, frames for friends’ artwork, a mug rack, and a wine rack. He was a fan and aficionado of single-malt Scotch whisky and a voracious reader. His way with words and turns of phrases could often vex and perplex his listeners, but many of his friends shared his strange and wonderful love of words and the many twists of phrase he offered. He would have wanted this to end with a twist, but most of all he will be greatly missed. In lieu of flowers, memorials preferred to Classical Actors Ensemble